The early bird registration deadline for the Human Rights Defenders Academy 2014 (Brussels, 21-24 October 2014) is approaching! Human rights defenders interested in participating can benefit from the early registration discount by 15 September 2014. A limited number of (partial) scholarships is available through HREA’s Scholarship Fund.
HREA’s Human Rights Defenders Academy is a training programme for individuals working to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world through peaceful means. Human rights defenders are those individuals, groups and organs of society that promote and protect universally-recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms. They seek the promotion and protection of civil and political rights as well as the promotion, protection and attainment of economic, social and cultural rights. They advocate and mobilise by peaceful means – sometimes putting their own lives at risk – to defend the rights of others. Participants of the Academy have the opportunity to increase their monitoring and advocacy skills, further their understanding of the role and impact of EU foreign policies related to human rights defenders and how advocacy vis-à-vis the EU can positively influence human rights policies in their home countries, learn practical skills to ensure their own personal security and protection, and build networks and exchange knowledge and experience with other human rights defenders.
Programme overview and methodology
The Human Rights Defenders Academy (HRDA) consists of a series of intensive workshops on advocacy, monitoring and personal security and protection, meetings with Brussels-based resource persons and organisations, and site visits to European institutions.
The training is based on a participatory, active learning approach, and has an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. Workshops are held from 09h00-14h30 during the day. In the late afternoons and evenings, participants have the opportunity to meet with resource persons and organisations, visit European Institutions, in Brussels learn about EU foreign policy, advocacy and funding opportunities to support human rights defenders.
For further details: HRDA 2014 brochure 
(PDF) or visit www.hrea.org/human-rights-defenders-academy.